Summer has arrived in the PacNW. This last week has been luscious - with highs in the low 70s and lots of sun.
Days are super long up here in Oregon. Last night I sat in the garden, having wine and great conversation with friends, while listening to the new ‘The National’ album on repeat (I highly recommend it) and suddenly we realized it was 9:30 p.m.! It wasn’t dark yet, and all those beautiful components coming together can extend your happy hour to bedtime. Such is the heartbeat of summer - slow and fulfilling.
This weekend’s ‘where in the world’ takes us to one of my very favorite spots in the world (and it’s only an hour's drive from Portland, Oregon): Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Since Portland has, more or less, been my home base since I first moved here in 2006, Cannon Beach has been a very special to me. I took my (dearly departed) dogs here many, many times, as the cabins and hotels I frequent are very dog-friendly, spending time roaming the beaches, sometimes having them all to ourselves on a wild winters morning. I spent one Christmas here, alone, with my dogs for company, a delicious cooler of food and bubbles, a fireplace, a wild winter storm one day, and then bright sun, 50s, and drinking sparkling rosé outside - it was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had.
I sprinkled my dog’s ashes in Cannon Beach, as it was such a special place for all of us.
Cannon Beach: the little center is quite charming and there is an excellent grocery store now on the south end of town, several good to great coffee shops (my favorite linked below) and a couple of decent restaurants. Over the years, I have most consistently stayed at the Inn at Cannon Beach, which is clean, and comfortable, has fireplaces in every room, and is a quick stroll to my favorite bench for sundown with a view of Haystack Rock (which is the picture above). Also, pet friendly!
Nature is the star.
Occassionally, I will have no plan to go and wake up early and just hop in the car and find myself in Cannon Beach, at my favorite coffee shop, the Sleepy Monk, loading up on caffeine and walking up down the beach admiring Haystack Rock, rain or shine.
During Covid springtime 2020 shutdown, I drove down to Cannon Beach, which was quite sparsely populated, and was rewarded with a rather large herd of Elk, with spring babies, romping on the beach. That experience lifted my heart immensely. Cannon Beach always, always delivers.
UPDATE: Places to nosh
I really do enjoy a visit to Pelican Brewery. The onion rings alone are worth a visit.
For fish & chips and seafood shopping: Ecola Seafood - just the best. Located in downtown CB.
Take a drive to Netarts for the afternoon and have lunch at The Schooner for oysters and wine.
Pop over to Jacobsens Salt Co - the original salt shack and stock up on lots of salty goodies.
My favorite time of year to be in Cannon Beach is winter. Not so many visitors or cars, it feels wild and moody and all mine. My second favorite is autumn. Then spring and I rarely go in summer - too many people.
To me, the Oregon Coast is truly wild nature - you never know what you’re going to get.
And that’s the gift.
It is the place where I go to ask a question of the universe, and the universe answers back. A place to soothe my soul and get inspired for the next big thing.
Where is that place for you?
Have a beauty weekend my friends.
I’ve always wanted to go to Cannon beach. Thanks for sharing!